The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most beautiful ethical writings in the history of humanity. Just before giving us the Sermon Matthew explained that crowds of people were traveling from all over the nation of Israel and the surrounding Gentile countries to get near Jesus.
Read MoreJesus had claimed to be the Bread of Life, and word spread about it quickly. When the news reached Jerusalem, it infuriated the Jewish leaders. But what could they do? He had won every argument, and His healings made the crowds adore Him.
Read MoreJesus left the area of Galilee and journeyed out to the region of Tyre. Tyre was a large city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This was Gentile land. The Lord was putting distance between Himself and His Jewish enemies.
Read MoreJesus left Tyre and the Mediterranean coastline to travel back towards the Sea of Galilee. He took a long, winding route through the region of Sidon. It took Him twenty-five miles north and then southeast through Gentile territory, and then through the region ruled by Philip, Herod’s brother.
Read MoreThe disciples continued on their journey with Jesus around Galilee to the town of Bethsaida. A blind man was brought to the Lord, and he begged Jesus to touch him. Can you imagine that moment for the man?
Read Moreesus and His disciples journeyed from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi. It was on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. It was Gentile territory, complete with a shrine to a pagan god. It was also outside the territory of King Herod.
Read MorePeter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It was a bold, unqualified statement, and he meant it. Only a fool would say something so outrageous if he didn't really believe it was true. It was not only a declaration of facts, it was a declaration of allegiance.
Read MoreBy this time in our story, the disciples had spent several years with Jesus. They had journeyed across the countryside with Him through the towns and villages of Israel, watching His breathtaking miracles and taking part in the proclamation of the Good News of God's salvation plan for the world.
Read MoreAs Jesus returned from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, there was a large crowd surrounding the rest of His disciples. Some scribes, who were religious leaders, were standing there arguing with them.
Read MoreAn argument had started to rise up between the disciples. They were debating over which one of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. In the Jewish culture, rank and status were very important. Everyone knew their place in society.
Read MoreAs Jesus and disciples journeyed across the Galilean countryside towards Jerusalem, there was much time for thinking and discussion. In the last story (110), we learned that the disciples had started a discussion about which one of them would be greatest in God’s Kingdom.
Read MoreIt was dangerous. The fame and influence of Christ had spread throughout the nation of Israel. Thousands upon thousands had heard His powerful teaching. They had seen Him work miracles that had never been done before.
Read MoreJesus had spent many months out of the limelight, teaching His disciples and journeying around the countryside. But the time had come for the great festival, and the Jewish families all over Israel were preparing to go to Jerusalem.
Read MoreJesus and His disciples made their way in secret to Jerusalem. The Jews at the Feast were all looking out for Him, awaiting His arrival. The people debated whether He was sent by God or was a deceiver bent on leading the people far from the Lord.
Read MoreThe great Feast of Tabernacles had begun in Jerusalem. Everyone wondering when Jesus was going to come. Rumors were swirling around that the Jewish leadership was planning to have Him killed. Yet many of the people who had travelled many miles to the Feast had also travelled miles to listen to Jesus preach.
Read MoreThe final day of the celebration was full of tension and confused wonder in the nation of Israel. Would they accept that Jesus had power and authority from God, as He claimed? Would they accept Him as the Messiah?
Read MoreFor hundreds of years, the Jewish people had been anticipating the coming of the Messiah, Now He was among them, preaching in the Temple courts, healing their sick, and proclaiming the Good News of God's plan to bring salvation to the world.
Read MoreMany were coming to believe in Jesus as He taught in the courts of the Temple in Jerusalem. He told them, “‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Read MoreJesus was in Judea, the southern region of the nation of Israel, with His disciples. The Feast of Tabernacles had past, but after all that Jesus said and did during the Feast, the opposition against Him had greatly intensified.
Read MoreThe seventy disciples journeyed out to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the towns and villages of Judea. Can you picture them? What would happen? Would they be accepted and welcomed? Would they be silenced?
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